Treatment methods utilizing stem cell mobilizers and immunosuppressive agents

ABSTRACT

The present invention related to the field of organ transplantation. In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of treating an organ transplant recipient comprising administering to the recipient a therapeutically effective amount of a stem cell mobilizer and an immunosuppressive agent. In particular embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating an organ transplant recipient comprising administering to the recipient a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that mobilizes CD34+ and/or CD133+ stem cells and a low dose of immunosuppressive agent.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. Application Ser. No. 13/515,143 filed Nov. 12, 2012, which is a 35 U.S.C. 371 National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/US2010/059877 having an International Filing Date of Dec. 10, 2010, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/384,017 filed Sep. 17, 2010, U. S Provisional Application No. 61/383,975 filed Sep. 17, 2010, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/316,180, filed Mar. 22, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/285,602, filed Dec. 11, 2009, the contents of each of the aforementioned applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENTAL INTEREST

This invention was made with U.S. government support under grant no. A1065488. The U.S. government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of organ transplantation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As the early outcomes of human organ transplantation have dramatically improved, research focus has shifted toward solving the remaining problems associated with chronic immunosuppression. Calcineurin inhibitors remain the mainstay of immunosuppression in organ transplantation, but are associated with important side effects such as infections, diabetes, hypertension, nephrotoxicity and malignancy which can influence quality of life and survival rates. The ultimate goal of organ transplantation is to achieve clinical tolerance which is defined as stable normal graft function in the absence of immunosuppression.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that the administration of a stem cell mobilizer in combination with an immunosuppressive agent can be used to treat organ transplant recipients. As described herein, the treatment regimen promotes allograft survival and induces long-term allograft acceptance. The treatment regimen can be applied to any type of organ transplant including liver, kidney, skin, heart, lung, intestine, and pancreas. The treatment regimen can also be applied to composite tissue transplantation. The composite tissue can be hand, face, or any other anatomical part. In particular embodiments, the treatment regimen can be utilized for toxic liver injury such as acetaminophen or fulminent hepatitis. In general, however, the present invention is useful in the treatment of patients with ischemic injury and/or shock.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, a method of treating an organ transplant recipient comprises administering to the recipient a therapeutically effective amount of a stem cell mobilizer and an immunosuppressive agent. The transplanted organ can be selected from the group consisting of liver, kidney, skin, heart, lung, intestine, and pancreas. In a specific embodiment, the organ is liver. In another embodiment, the organ is kidney. In yet another embodiment, the transplanted organ is skin.

In a more specific embodiment, a method of treating a liver transplant recipient comprises administering to the recipient a therapeutically effective amount of a stem cell mobilizer and an immunosuppressive agent. In another embodiment, a method of treating a kidney transplant recipient comprising administering to the recipient a therapeutically effective amount of a stem cell mobilizer and an immunosuppressive agent. In yet another embodiment, a method of treating a skin transplant recipient comprises administering to the recipient a therapeutically effective amount of a stem cell mobilizer and an immunosuppressive agent. In a further embodiment, a method of treating a patient diagnosed with ischemic injury comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a stem cell mobilizer and an immunosuppressive agent. In another specific embodiment, a method of treating a composite tissue transplant recipient comprises administering to the recipient a therapeutically effective amount of a stem cell mobilizer and an immunosuppressive agent.

The stem cell mobilizer can be any stem cell mobilizer including, but not limited to, AMD3100, AMD3465, TG-0054, G-CSF, GM-CSF, SDF-1, and SCF. In a specific embodiment, the stem cell mobilizer is a CXCR4 antagonist. In a more specific embodiment, the stem cell mobilizer is AMD3100.

The immunosuppressive agent can be any immunosuppressive agent including, but not limited to, Tacrolimus, cyclosporine, Orthoclone OKT3, mycophenolate, and sirolimus. In a specific embodiment, the immunosuppressive agent is Tacrolimus. In certain embodiments, the immunosuppressive agent is administered in a low dose amount.

In particular embodiments, the stem cell mobilizer is AMD3100 and the immunosuppressive agent is Tacrolimus. In other embodiments, the stem cell mobilizer and the immunosuppressive agent are the same compound.

The present invention further provides a method of treating an organ transplant recipient comprising administering to the recipient a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that mobilizes CD34+ and/or CD133+ stem cells and a low dose of an immunosuppressive agent. In particular embodiments, the agent that mobilizes CD34+ and/or CD133+ stem cells is AMD3100 and the immunosuppressive agent is Tacrolimus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 presents the experimental protocol used for small liver transplantation.

FIG. 2 shows the percentage of CD34⁺, c-Kit⁺, Thy-1⁺ and Scar cells in peripheral blood in AMD treated animals compared to control animals after liver transplantation.

FIG. 3 displays PCR analysis of mRNA expression of SDF-1, SCF, c-Met, as well as Foxp3 in AMD plus low dose FK-506 group compared to other groups at day 7 post partial liver transplantation (PLT).

FIG. 4 shows hematoxylin and eosin (H& F,) staining results of small DA liver transplanted into GFP-Lewis recipient rates, day 7 post PLT.

FIG. 5 presents the small liver and skin allograft survival results in the acute rejection model (DA into Lewis rats).

FIG. 6 shows green fluorescence protein imaging at 3 months post liver transplantation.

FIG. 7 shows SDF expression in small liver grafter after transplantation (DA into Lewis rats).

FIG. 8 presents immunohistochemistry staining results aimed at the detection of CD 133⁺ stem cells in liver allografts and spleens at days 3 and 7 after transplantation.

FIG. 9 presents immunohistochemistry staining results aimed at the detection of CD133⁺ and c-Met⁺ cells in liver allografts 7 days after transplantation.

FIG. 10 shows immunofluorescent staining results aimed at the detection of recipient phenotype c-Met-F cells in liver allografts 7 days after transplantation.

FIG. 11 shows immunofluorescent staining results from experiments detecting Foxp3 expression in liver allografts and spleens 7 days after transplantation.

FIG. 12 presents the experimental protocol used for whole liver transplantation.

FIG. 13 presents the whole liver allograft survival results in the acute rejection model (DA into Lewis rats).

FIG. 14 shows that the absolute number of c-Kit⁺, CD133⁺ or lineage negative (Lin) and Thyl⁺-Kit⁺CD133⁺ triple positive cells in peripheral blood was significantly increased in AMD treated animals compare to saline or G-CSF treated animals.

FIG. 15 shows that treatment with AMD3100 and Tacrolimus induces long-term kidney allograft acceptance.

FIG. 16 demonstrates that a combination of AMD3100 and Tacrolimus promotes the repopulation of kidney allografts by recipient derived cells.

FIG. 17 shows skin xenograft survival results of mouse into rat.

FIG. 18 presents GFP expression data from skin graft experiments.

FIG. 19 shows repopulation of skin allograft by the recipient 36 days after transplantation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methods and components, etc., described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to a “protein” is a reference to one or more proteins, and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art and so forth.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Specific methods, devices, and materials are described, although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention.

All publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference including all journal articles, books, manuals, published patent applications, and issued patents. In addition, the meaning of certain terms and phrases employed in the specification, examples, and appended claims are provided. The definitions are not meant to be limiting in nature and serve to provide a clearer understanding of certain aspects of the present invention.

The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that the administration of a stem cell mobilizer in combination with an immunosuppressive agent can be used to treat organ transplant recipients. As described herein, the treatment regimen promotes allograft survival and induces long-term allograft acceptance. The treatment regimen can be applied to any type of organ transplant including liver, kidney, skin, heart, lung, intestine, and pancreas. The treatment regimen can also be applied to composite tissue transplantation. The composite tissue can be hand, face, or any other anatomical part. In particular embodiments, the treatment regimen can be utilized for toxic liver injury such as acetaminophen or fulminent hepatitis. In general, however, the present invention is useful in the treatment of patients with ischemic injury and/or shock. Although much of the present disclosure is made in the context of organ transplantation, it should be recognized that the treatment regimens are broadly applicable, as noted above, and should not be construed as limited to organ transplantation.

The present invention consists of a novel strategy to mobilizer recipient stem cells which can promote the repair and regeneration of rejecting allografts after transplantation and eventually the allograft becomes recipient itself. This allows minimal immunosuppression and rapid weaning. For patients, this translates into improved survival and elimination of immunosuppression related complications, such as infections and malignancy.

In a chronic acceptance rat allogeneic liver transplant model, the inventors demonstrated that whole and partial donor livers are completely replaced by recipient-derived cells at 1 year and 3 months, respectively. The inventors have further demonstrated that recipient-derived hepatocytes result from cell transdifferentiation not cell fusion, and that these recipient-derived cells originate from bone marrow. These data suggest that the chimeric liver becomes increasingly like the recipient, and therefore, conveys tolerance.

As described herein, in an acute rejection rat liver transplantation model, the present inventors have further demonstrated that treatment of a liver transplant recipient with a stem cell mobilizer and an immunosuppressive agent facilitates a more rapid repopulation of liver allografts with recipient-derived cells after transplantation and induces long-term liver allograft acceptance without side effects.

The present inventors have also investigated the induction of kidney allograft acceptance, and have demonstrated herein that treatment with a combination of a stem cell mobilizer and an immunosuppressive agent prevents acute rejection and induces long-term allograft acceptance. As described in the Examples, kidney transplants from dark agouti (DA) rats to Lewis rats were performed and recipient rats were treated with stem cell mobilizer (Mozobil™: AMD3100) and/or low dose immunosuppressant (Tacrolimus, FK-506). Indeed, the present invention demonstrates that that stem cell mobilizers and immunosuppressive agents can be used for induction of kidney allograft acceptance (tolerance) and avoidance of chronic immunosuppression in organ transplantation.

The present invention is also useful in skin transplantation. According to the American Burn Association, there are approximately 500,000 burn injuries per year in the United States, with roughly 40,000 requiring hospitalization. Orgill et al., 360 N. ENGL. J. MED. 893-901 (2009). A treatment option that has helped to decrease mortality over the past ten years has been the immediate excision of burned skin with replacement by grafted skin. See Wang et al., 28 J. BURN CARE REs.182-86 (2007); Nakazawa et al., 106 NIPPON GEKA GAKKAI ZASSHI 745-49 (2005); and Desai et al., 211 ANN. SURG. 753-59 (1990). The ideal material for grafting is autologous skin, taken from a non-burned region of the patient's own skin. The supply of healthy autologous skin, however, is limited in severely burned patients, even when expansion techniques, such as “meshing,” are used. See Lari et al., 27 BURNS 61-66 (2001); and Vandeput et al., 21 BURNS 364-70 (1995). Allogeneic skin is considered the gold standard for temporary grafts. Orgill et al., 360 N. ENGL. J. MED 893-901 (2009).

The possibility of using allogenic skin and immunosuppression has been explored clinically and experimentally. An extensive burn injury is in itself immunosuppressive; nevertheless, the extreme antigenicity of skin inevitably results in the rejection of allograft. As in other allotransplants, attempts have been made to prolong the allograft acceptance by pharmacologically induced immunosuppression.

The agents most frequently used are cyclosporin and cyclosporin A. Black et al. reported on the use of cyclosporin-induced long-term allograft survival in 1987. 8 J. BURN CARE REHABIL. 531-35 (1987). This experimental work on rat models was further evaluated in the early 1990s. Cetinkale et al., 19 BURNS 262-64 (1993). An interesting observation in this later study was that the immunosuppressive effect of the burn injury was quickly reversed after early excision and grafting. This emphasizes the need for additional immunosuppression if burn wound cover with allograft alone is to be attempted.

The outcome of attempts to immunosuppress patients with large burns and allografts have on the whole been disappointing. While there are occasional reports of prolonged survival these are rare and more often the experience has been that patients succumb to sepsis possibly related to the immunosuppression.

Accordingly, the present invention further comprises methods to mobilizer recipient stem cells which can promote the repair and regeneration of rejecting skin allografts after transplantation and eventually the allograft becomes recipient itself. This will allow minimal immunosuppression and rapid weaning. For burn patients, this would translate into improved survival and elimination of immunosuppression related complications, such as infections. Skin allograft may find a new role as a permanent skin in burn patients.

As further shown herein, the treatment regimen of the present invention recruits regulatory T-cells to the organ transplant site. Because regulatory T cells are involved in controlling autoimmune diseases including, but not limited to, type 1 diabetes, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and inflammatory bowel disease, the mobilization of stem cells (e.g., with a combination of AMD3100 and tacrolimus) may have broader clinical applications rather than transplantation. In particular embodiments, therefore, the stem cell mobilizers and immunosuppressive agents can be used to treat autoimmune disease.

I. Definitions

“Agent” refers to all materials that may be used as or in pharmaceutical compositions, or that may be compounds such as small synthetic or naturally derived organic compounds, nucleic acids, polypeptides, antibodies, fragments, isoforms, variants, or other materials that may be used independently for such purposes, all in accordance with the present invention.

“Antagonist” refers to an agent that down-regulates (e.g., suppresses or inhibits) at least one bioactivity of a protein. An antagonist may be a compound which inhibits or decreases the interaction between a protein and another molecule, e.g., a target peptide or enzyme substrate. An antagonist may also be a compound that down-regulates expression of a gene or which reduces the amount of expressed protein present.

“Hematopoiesis” refers to the highly orchestrated process of blood cell development and homeostasis. Prenatally, hematopoiesis occurs in the yolk sack, then liver, and eventually the bone marrow. In normal adults it occurs in bone marrow and lymphatic tissues. All blood cells develop from pluripotent stem cells. Pluripotent cells differentiate into stem cells that are committed to three, two or one hematopoietic differentiation pathway. None of these stem cells are morphologically distinguishable, however.

The terms “stem cells” and “hematopoietic stem cells” are used interchangeably herein. Stem cells are distinguished from other cell types by two important characteristics. First, stem cells are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division, sometimes after long periods of inactivity. Second, under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, stem cells can be induced to become tissue- or organ-specific cells with special functions. In some organs, such as the gut and bone marrow, stem cells regularly divide to repair and replace worn out or damaged tissues. In other organs, however, such as the pancreas and the heart, stem cells only divide under special conditions.

The term “stem cells” can refer to multipotent stem cells that are capable of differentiating into all blood cells including erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets. For instance, the “hematopoietic stem cells” or “stem cells” as used in the invention are contained not only in bone marrow but also in umbilical cord blood derived cells.

A “stem cell mobilizer,” “mobilizer of hematopoietic stem cells or progenitor cells” or “mobilize,” (used interchangeably), as described herein, refers to any compound, whether it is a small organic molecule, synthetic or naturally derived, or a polypeptide, such as a growth factor or colony stimulating factor or an active fragment or mimic thereof, a nucleic acid, a carbohydrate, an antibody, or any other agent that acts to enhance the migration of stem cells from the bone marrow into the peripheral blood. A stem cell mobilizer may increase the number of hematopoietic stem cells or hematopoietic progenitor/precursor cells in the peripheral blood, thus allowing for a more accessible source of stem cells for use in transplantation. In particular embodiments, a stem cell mobilizer refers to any agent that mobilizes CD34⁺ and/or CD133⁺ stem cells.

A “patient,” “subject,” “host,” or “transplant recipient” to be treated by the present methods refers to either a human or non-human animal, such as primates, mammals, and vertebrates.

A “small molecule” refers to a composition that has a molecular weight of less than 3 about kilodaltons (kDa), less than about 1.5 kilodaltons, or less than about 1 kilodalton. Small molecules may be nucleic acids, peptides, polypeptides, peptidomimetics, carbohydrates, lipids or other organic (carbon-containing) or inorganic molecules. A “small organic molecule” is an organic compound (or organic compound complexed with an inorganic compound (e.g., metal)) that has a molecular weight of less than about 3 kilodaltons, less than about 1.5 kilodaltons, or less than about 1 kDa.

As used herein, the terms “treatment,” “treating,” “treat” and the like, refer to obtaining a desired pharmacologic and/or physiologic effect. The terms are also used in the context of the administration of a “therapeutically effective amount” of an agent, e.g., a stem cell mobilizer and/or an immunosuppressive agent. The effect may be prophylactic in terms of completely or partially preventing a particular outcome, disease or symptom thereof and/or may be therapeutic in terms of a partial or complete cure for a disease and/or adverse affect attributable to the disease. “Treatment,” as used herein, covers any treatment of a disease in a subject, particularly in a human, and includes: (a) preventing the disease from occurring in a subject which may be predisposed to the disease but has not yet been diagnosed as having it; (b) inhibiting the disease, i.e., arresting its development; and (c) relieving the disease, e.g., causing regression of the disease, e.g., to completely or partially remove symptoms of the disease. In particular embodiments, the term is used in the context of treating organ transplant recipients. More particularly, treatment of an

organ transplant recipient includes (a) achieving clinical tolerance; (b) promoting the repair and regeneration of rejecting allografts; (c) repopulating allografts with recipient-derived cells; (d) inducing long-term allograft acceptance without side effects; (e) reducing or eliminating immunosuppression related complications such as infections.

II. Stem Cell Mobilizers

The present invention relates to the treatment of organ transplant recipients, patients with ischemic injury and/or shock, and/or autoimmune diseases with a stem cell mobilizer in combination with an immunosuppressive agent. Generally, stem cell mobilizers include, but are not limited to, small organic molecules, polypeptides, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates.

In the case of a polypeptide, the stem cell mobilizer may comprise a cytokine, a colony stimulating factor, a protease or a chemokine. More specifically, the cytokine may include, but is not limited to, interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-3 (IL-3), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-11 (IL-11), interleukin-7 (IL-7), and interleukin-12 (IL12).

In the case of a colony stimulating factor, the stem cell mobilizer may include, but is not limited to, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), stem cell factor, FLT-3 ligand or a combination thereof.

In another embodiment, the protease stem cell mobilizer may include, but is not limited to, metalloproteinase (like MMP2 or MMP9) a serine protease, (like cathepsin G, or elastase) a cysteine protease (like cathepsin K) and a dipeptidyl peptidase-1 (DDP-1 OR CD26).

In yet another embodiment, the chemokine stem cell mobilizer may include, but is not limited to, CXCL12, IL-8, Mip-1a, and Gror3.

In yet another embodiment, the nucleic acid stem cell mobilizer is a DNA or an RNA molecule. In more specific embodiments, the nucleic acid can be a small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecule or an antisense molecule specific for CXCL12.

In the case of a carbohydrate, the stem cell mobilizer can be a sulfated carbohydrate may include, but is not limited to, Fucoidan and sulfated dextran. Fucoidan is a carbohydrate consisting of L-fucose, sulfate and acetate in a molar proportion of 1:1.23:0.36 and can be isolated from the Pacific brown seaweed Fucus evanescens. See Bilan et al., 337(8) CARBOHYDRATE RESEARCH 719-30 (2002). Sulfated dextrans refer to a series of polysaccharides that have variable sulfated patterns. See, e.g. Pomin et al., 15(12) GLYCOBIOLOGY 1376-1385 (2005); Melo et al., 279(2) J. BIOL. CHEM. 20824-20835 (2004); and Farias et al., 275(38) J. BIOL. CHEM. 29299-29307 (2000).

Stem cell mobilizers may further include, but are not limited to, AMD3100; stromal cell-derived factor (SDF-1); SDF-1 analogs (e.g., CTCE-0214 (Chemokine Therapeutics Corp.)); anti-SDF-1 antibodies; cyclophosphamide; stem cell factor (SCF); filgrastim; ancestim; Myeloid Progenitor Inhibitory Factor-1 (MPIF-1) (see U.S. Patent Publication No. 20080274109); and Very Late Antigen (VLA-4) antagonists (e.g., an alpha-4 integrin antagonist, such as an antibody including Natalizumab or Anti-phospho-Integrin a4 (Ser988), clone 6.33 (Upstate Cell Signaling Solutions), or a peptide (e.g., phenylacetyl-leu-asp-phe-D-prolineamide (Cytel Corp., San Diego Calif.))).

In particular embodiments, the stem cell mobilizer comprises a CXCR4 antagonist. In specific embodiments, the CXCR4 antagonist is TG-0054 (TaiGen Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (Taipei, Taiwan)). In other specific embodiments, the CXCR4 antagonist is AMD3465. In yet other embodiments, the CXCR4 antagonist is AMD3100. AMD3100 (1,1′-[1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)]bis-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclo-tetradecane) is a symmetric bicyclam, prototype non-peptide antagonist of the CXCR4 chemokine receptor. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,835,731 and 6,825,351. The term “AMD” or “AMD3100” is used interchangeably with Plerixafor, rINN, USAN, JM3100, and its trade name, Mozobil™.

The present invention also contemplate using mimetics of AMD3100. Mutational substitutions at 16 positions located in TM-III, -IV, -V, -VI, and -VII lining the main ligand-binding pocket of the CXCR4 receptor have identified three acid residues: Asp¹⁷¹ (AspIV:20), Asp²⁶² (AspVI:23), and Glu²⁸⁸ (GluVII:06) as the main interaction points for AMD3100. Molecular modeling suggests that one cyclam ring of AMD3100 interacts with Asp¹⁷¹ in TM-IV, whereas the other ring is sandwiched between the carboxylic acid groups of Asp²⁶² and Glu²⁸⁸ from TM-VI and -VII, respectively. In one study, it was found that introduction of only a Glu at position VII:06 and the removal of a neutralizing Lys residue at position VII:02 resulted in a 1000-fold increase in affinity of AMD3100 to within 10-fold of its affinity in CXCR4. Thus, mimetics, such as for example, peptide or non-peptide antagonists with improved oral bioavailability can be designed to efficiently and selectively block the CXCR4 receptor.

III. Immunosuppressive Agents

In conjunction with a stem cell mobilizer, immunosuppressive agents can be used to treat organ transplant recipients, patients with ischemic injury and/or shock, and/or autoimmune diseases. The term “immunosuppressive agent” refers to an agent that inhibits, slows or reverses the activity of the immune system. Immunosuppressive agents act by suppressing the function of responding immune cells (including, for example, T cells), directly (e.g., by acting on the immune cell) or indirectly (by acting on other mediating cells). Immunosuppressive agents can be given to a subject to prevent the subject's immune system from mounting an immune response after an organ transplant or for treating a disease that is caused by an overactive immune system.

A number of immunosuppressive agents that suppress the function of immunocompetent cells are used to suppress the immunological rejection (graft rejection) accompanying such transplantations, because the immunological rejection caused by allotransplantation is mainly due to cellular immunity. Such immunosuppressive agents include, but are not limited to, a calcineurin inhibitor (e.g., cyclosporin (CsA) and analogs thereof; ISA(TX) 247, and tacrolimus (FK-506)); azathioprine (AZ); mycophenolate mofetil (MMF); mizoribine (MZ); leflunomide (LEF); adrenocortical steroids (also known as adrenocortical hormones, corticosteroids, or corticoids) such as prednisolon and methylprednisolon; sirolimus (also known as rapamycin); everolimus; FK778; TAFA-93; deoxyspergualin (DSG); and FTY720 (chemical name: 2-amino-242-(4-octylphenyl)ethyl]-1,3-propanediol hydrochloride).

In other embodiments, the immunosuppressive agent can include, but is not limited to, cyclophosphamide; 15-deoxyspergualin (Gusperimus); interferons; sulfasalazine; mimoribine, misoprostol, anti-IL-2 receptor antibodies, thalidomide, anti-tumor necrosis factor antibodies, anti-CD2 antibodies, anti-CD147 antibodies, anti-CD4 antibodies, anti-CD8 antibodies and anti-thymocyte globulin antibodies. Immunosuppressive agents also include ORTHOCLONE® (OKT3) (Ortho Biotech, Raritan, N.J.), SANDIMMUNEO ORAL (cyclosporine) (Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, Hanover, N.J.), PROGRAF® (tacrolimus) (Fujisawa Pharmaceuticals, Deerfield, Ill.), CELLCEPT® (mycophenolate) (Roche Pharmaceuticals, Nutley, N.J.) and RAPAMUNEO (sirolimus) (Wyeth, Collegeville, Pa.). Optionally, the immunosuppressive agent is rapamycin, tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid, azathioprine or cyclophosphamide.

Immunosuppressive agents can further include an interleukin-2 a-chain blocker (e.g., basiliximab and daclizumab); an inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (e.g., mycophenolate mofetil); and an inhibitor of dihydrofolic acid reductase (e.g., methotrexate).

In particular embodiments, the immunosuppressive agent is Tacrolimus. Tacrolimus (also FK-506 or Fujimycin) is an immunosuppressive drug that is mainly used after allogeneic organ transplant to reduce the activity of the patient's immune system and so lower the risk of organ rejection. It reduces interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by T-cells. It is also used in a topical preparation in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis (eczema), severe refractory uveitis after bone marrow transplants, and the skin condition vitiligo. It is a 23-membered macrolide lactone discovered in 1984 from the fermentation broth of a Japanese soil sample that contained the bacteria Streptomyces tsukubaensis. The drug is sold under the trade names Prograf® given twice daily, Advagraf® a sustained release formulation allowing once daily dosing, and Protopic® the topical formulation.

IV. Pharmaceutical Compositions and Administration

Accordingly, a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may comprise an effective amount of a stem cell mobilizer and/or an immunosuppressive agent. The present invention further contemplates the use of an agent that has characteristics of both a stem cell mobilizer and an immunosuppressive agent. For example, Tacrolimus may be used as both a stem cell mobilizer and an immunosuppressive agent. Still further, the present invention contemplates the use of an effective amount of at least one stem cell mobilizer and/or at least one immunosuppressive agent. As used herein, the term “effective,” means adequate to accomplish a desired, expected, or intended result. More particularly, an “effective amount” or a “therapeutically effective amount” is used interchangeably and refers to an amount of a stem cell mobilizer and/or an immunosuppressive agent, perhaps in further combination with yet another therapeutic agent, necessary to provide the desired “treatment” (defined herein) or therapeutic effect, e.g., an amount that is effective to prevent, alleviate, treat or ameliorate symptoms of a disease or prolong

the survival of the subject being treated. In particular embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are administered in a therapeutically effective amount to treat organ transplant recipients, patients with ischemic injury and/or shock, and/or autoimmune diseases. As would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the exact amount required will vary from subject to subject, depending on age, general condition of the subject, the severity of the condition being treated, the particular compound and/or composition administered, and the like. An appropriate “therapeutically effective amount” in any individual case can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the pertinent texts and literature and/or by using routine experimentation.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are in biologically compatible form suitable for administration in vivo for subjects. The pharmaceutical compositions can further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” means approved by a regulatory agency of the Federal or a state government or listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia or other generally recognized pharmacopeia for use in animals, and more particularly, in humans. The term “carrier” refers to a diluent, adjuvant, excipient, or vehicle with which the stem cell mobilizer and/or the immunosuppressive agent is administered. Such pharmaceutical carriers can be sterile liquids, such as water and oils, including those of petroleum, animal, vegetable or synthetic origin, including but not limited to peanut oil, soybean oil, mineral oil, sesame oil and the like. Water may be a carrier when the pharmaceutical composition is administered orally. Saline and aqueous dextrose may be carriers when the pharmaceutical composition is administered intravenously. Saline solutions and aqueous dextrose and glycerol solutions may be employed as liquid carriers for injectable solutions. Suitable pharmaceutical excipients include starch, glucose, lactose, sucrose, gelatin, malt, rice, flour, chalk, silica gel, sodium stearate, glycerol monostearate, talc, sodium chloride, dried slim milk, glycerol, propylene, glycol, water, ethanol and the like. The pharmaceutical composition may also contain minor amounts of wetting or emulsifying agents, or pH buffering agents.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can take the form of solutions, suspensions, emulsions, tablets, pills, capsules, powders, sustained-release formulations and the like. The composition can be formulated as a suppository, with traditional binders and carriers such as triglycerides. Oral formulation may include standard carriers such as pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharine, cellulose, magnesium carbonate, etc. In a specific embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition comprises an effective amount of a stem cell mobilizer and/or an immunosuppressive agent together with a suitable amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier so as to provide the form for proper administration to the patient. The formulation should suit the mode of administration.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered by any particular route of administration including, but not limited to oral, parenteral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intrarticular, intrabronchial, intraabdominal, intracapsular, intracartilaginous, intracavitary, intracelial, intracelebellar, intracerebroventricular, intracolic, intracervical, intragastric, intrahepatic, intramyocardial, intraosteal, intraosseous, intrapelvic, intrapericardiac, intraperitoneal, intrapleural, intraprostatic, intrapulmonary, intrarectal, intrarenal, intraretinal, intraspinal, intrasynovial, intrathoracic, intrauterine, intravesi cal, bolus, vaginal, rectal, buccal, sublingual, intranasal, iontophoretic means, or transdermal means. Most suitable routes are oral administration or injection. In certain embodiments, subcutaneous injection is preferred.

In general, the pharmaceutical compositions comprising a stem cell mobilizer and/or an immunosuppressive agent disclosed herein may be used alone (i.e., a stem cell mobilizer administered with an immunosuppressive agent) or in concert with other therapeutic agents at appropriate dosages defined by routine testing in order to obtain optimal efficacy while minimizing any potential toxicity. The dosage regimen utilizing a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be selected in accordance with a variety of factors including type, species, age, weight, sex, medical condition of the patient; the severity of the condition to be treated; the route of administration; the renal and hepatic function of the patient; and the particular pharmaceutical composition employed. A physician of ordinary skill can readily determine and prescribe the effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition (and potentially other agents including therapeutic agents) required to prevent, counter, or arrest the progress of the condition.

Optimal precision in achieving concentrations of the therapeutic regimen (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions comprising a stem cell mobilizer and/or an immunosuppressive agent in combination with another therapeutic agent) within the range that yields maximum efficacy with minimal toxicity may require a regimen based on the kinetics of the pharmaceutical composition's availability to one or more target sites. Distribution, equilibrium, and elimination of a pharmaceutical composition may be considered when determining the optimal concentration for a treatment regimen. The dosages of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may be adjusted when combined to achieve desired effects. On the other hand, dosages of the pharmaceutical compositions and various therapeutic agents may be independently optimized and combined to achieve a synergistic result wherein the pathology is reduced more than it would be if either was used alone.

In particular, toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein may be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, e.g., for determining the LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) and the ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effect is the therapeutic index and it may be expressed as the ratio LD50/ED50. Pharmaceutical compositions exhibiting large therapeutic indices are preferred except when cytotoxicity of the composition is the activity or therapeutic outcome that is desired. Although pharmaceutical compositions that exhibit toxic side effects may be used, a delivery system can target such compositions to the site of affected tissue in order to minimize potential damage to uninfected cells and, thereby, reduce side effects. Generally, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered in a manner that maximizes efficacy and minimizes toxicity.

Data obtained from cell culture assays and animal studies may be used in formulating a range of dosages for use in humans. The dosages of such compositions lie preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity. The dosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized. For any composition used in the methods of the invention, the therapeutically effective dose may be estimated initially from cell culture assays. A dose may be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range that includes the IC50 (the concentration of the test composition that achieves a half-maximal inhibition of symptoms) as determined in cell culture. Such information may be used to accurately determine useful doses in humans. Levels in plasma may be measured, for example, by high performance liquid chromatography.

Moreover, the dosage administration of the compositions of the present invention may be optimized using a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling system. For example, one or more dosage regimens may be chosen and a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model may be used to determine the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile of one or more dosage regimens. Next, one of the dosage regimens for administration may be selected which achieves the desired pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic response based on the particular pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile. See WO 00/67776, which is entirely expressly incorporated herein by reference.

More specifically, the pharmaceutical compositions may be administered in a single daily dose, or the total daily dosage may be administered in divided doses of two, three, or four times daily. In the case of oral administration, the daily dosage of the compositions may be varied over a wide range from about 0.1 ng to about 1,000 mg per patient, per day. The range may more particularly be from about 0.001 ng/kg to 10 mg/kg of body weight per day, about 0.1-100 μg, about 1.0-50 μg or about 1.0-20 mg per day for adults (at about 60 kg).

The daily dosage of the pharmaceutical compositions may be varied over a wide range from about 0.1 ng to about 1000 mg per adult human per day. For oral administration, the compositions may be provided in the form of tablets containing from about 0.1 ng to about 1000 mg of the composition or 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 800, 900, or 1000 milligrams of the composition for the symptomatic adjustment of the dosage to the patient to be treated. An effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition is ordinarily supplied at a dosage level of from about 0.1 ng/kg to about 20 mg/kg of body weight per day. In one embodiment, the range is from about 0.2 ng/kg to about 10 mg/kg of body weight per day. In another embodiment, the range is from about 0.5 ng/kg to about 10 mg/kg of body weight per day. The pharmaceutical compositions may be administered on a regimen of about 1 to about 10 times per day.

In the case of injections, it is usually convenient to give by an intravenous

route in an amount of about 0.0001 μg-30 mg, about 0.01 μg-20 mg or about 0.01-10 mg per day to adults (at about 60 kg). In the case of other animals, the dose calculated for 60 kg may be administered as well.

Doses of a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can optionally include 0.0001 μg to 1,000 mg/kg/administration, or 0.001 μg to 100.0 mg/kg/administration, from 0.01 μg to 10 mg/kg/administration, from 0.1 μg to 10 mg/kg/administration, including but not limited to 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 ,50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 7, 68, 69 ,70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 ,76 ,77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84 ,85, 86, 87 ,88 ,89 ,90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97 ,98, 99 and/or 100-500 mg/kg/administration or any range, value of fraction thereof, or to achieve a serum convention of 0.1, 0.5, 0.9, 1.0 ,1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 1.9, 2.0, 2.5, 2.9, 3.0, 3.5, 3.9 , 4.0, 4.5, 4.9, 5.0, 5.5, 6.9, 6.0 ,6.5, 6.9, 7.0, 7.5, 7.9, 8.0, 8.5, 8.9 , 9.0, 9.5, 9.9, 10.0, 10.5, 10.9, 11.0, 11.5, 11.9 , 12.0, 12.5, 12.9, 13.0, 13.5, 13.9, 14.0 ,14.5, 4.9, 5.0, 5.5, 5.9, 6.0, 6.5, 6.9, 7.0, 7.5, 7.9, 8.0, 8.5, 8.9, 9.0, 9.5, 9.9, 10.0, 10.5, 10.9, 11.0, 11.5, 11.9, 12.0 ,12.5, 12.9, 13.0, 13.5, 13.9, 14.0, 14.5, 15.0, 15.5, 15.9, 16, 16.5, 16.9, 17, 17.5, 17.9, 18, 18.5, 18.9 ,19, 19.5, 19.9, 20, 20.5, 20.9, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 96, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, and/or 5000 μg/ml serum concentration per single or multiple administration or any range, value or fraction thereof.

As a non-limiting example, treatment of subjects can be provided as a one-time or periodic dosage of a composition of the present invention 0.1 ng to 100 mg/kg such as 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 0.5, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 mg/kg, per day, on at least one of day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, or 40, or alternatively or additionally, at least one of week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, or 52, or alternatively or additionally, at least one of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 years, or any combination thereof, using single, infusion or repeated doses.

Specifically, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered at least once a week over the course of several weeks. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions are administered at least once a week over several weeks to several months. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions are administered once a week over four to eight weeks. In yet another embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions are administered once a week over four weeks.

More specifically, the pharmaceutical compositions may be administered at least once a day for about 2 days, at least once a day for about 3 days, at least once a day for about 4 days, at least once a day for about 5 days, at least once a day for about 6 days, at least once a day for about 7 days, at least once a day for about 8 days, at least once a day for about 9 days, at least once a day for about 10 days, at least once a day for about 11 days, at least once a day for about 12 days, at least once a day for about 13 days, at least once a day for about 14 days, at least once a day for about 15 days, at least once a day for about 16 days, at least once a day for about 17 days, at least once a day for about 18 days, at least once a day for about 19 days, at least once a day for about 20 days, at least once a day for about 21 days, at least once a day for about 22 days, at least once a day for about 23 days, at least once a day for about 24 days, at least once a day for about 25 days, at least once a day for about 26 days, at least once a day for about 27 days, at least once a day for about 28 days, at least once a day for about 29 days, at least once a day for about 30 days, or at least once a day for about 31 days.

Alternatively, the pharmaceutical compositions may be administered about once every day, about once every 2 days, about once every 3 days, about once every 4 days, about once every 5 days, about once every 6 days, about once every 7 days, about once every 8 days, about once every 9 days, about once every 10 days, about once every 11 days, about once every 12 days, about once every 13 days, about once every 14 days, about once every 15 days, about once every 16 days, about once every 17 days, about once every 18 days, about once every 19 days, about once every 20 days, about once every 21 days, about once every 22 days, about once every 23 days, about once every 24 days, about once every 25 days, about once every 26 days, about once every 27 days, about once every 28 days, about once every 29 days, about once every 30 days, or about once every 31 days.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may alternatively be administered about once every week, about once every 2 weeks, about once every 3 weeks, about once every 4 weeks, about once every 5 weeks, about once every 6 weeks, about once every 7 weeks, about once every 8 weeks, about once every 9 weeks, about once every 10 weeks, about once every 11 weeks, about once every 12 weeks, about once every 13 weeks, about once every 14 weeks, about once every 15 weeks, about once every 16 weeks, about once every 17 weeks, about once every 18 weeks, about once every 19 weeks, about once every 20 weeks.

Alternatively, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered about once every month, about once every 2 months, about once every 3 months, about once every 4 months, about once every 5 months, about once every 6 months, about once every 7 months, about once every 8 months, about once every 9 months, about once every 10 months, about once every 11 months, or about once every 12 months.

Alternatively, the pharmaceutical compositions may be administered at least once a week for about 2 weeks, at least once a week for about 3 weeks, at least once a week for about 4 weeks, at least once a week for about 5 weeks, at least once a week for about 6 weeks, at least once a week for about 7 weeks, at least once a week for about 8 weeks, at least once a week for about 9 weeks, at least once a week for about 10 weeks, at least once a week for about 11 weeks, at least once a week for about 12 weeks, at least once a week for about 13 weeks, at least once a week for about 14 weeks, at least once a week for about 15 weeks, at least once a week for about 16 weeks, at least once a week for about 17 weeks, at least once a week for about 18 weeks, at least once a week for about 19 weeks, or at least once a week for about 20 weeks.

Alternatively the pharmaceutical compositions may be administered at least once a week for about 1 month, at least once a week for about 2 months, at least once a week for about 3 months, at least once a week for about 4 months, at least once a week for about 5 months, at least once a week for about 6 months, at least once a week for about 7 months, at least once a week for about 8 months, at least once a week for about 9 months, at least once a week for about 10 months, at least once a week for about 11 months, or at least once a week for about 12 months.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention (e.g., a stem cell mobilizer and/or an immunosuppressive agent) can be administered simultaneously or sequentially by the same or different routes of administration. The pharmaceutical compositions may further be combined with one or more additional therapeutic agents. The determination of the identity and amount of the pharmaceutical compositions for use in the methods of the present invention can be readily made by ordinarily skilled medical practitioners using standard techniques known in the art. In specific embodiments, a stem cell mobilizer of the present invention can be administered in combination with an effective amount of an immunosuppressive agent. In other specific embodiments, a stem cell mobilizer and an immunosuppressive agent can be administered in combination with an effective amount of another stem cell mobilizer, another immunosuppressive agent, or another therapeutic agent.

In various embodiments, the stem cell mobilizer of the present invention in combination with an immunosuppressive agent (and optionally another stem cell mobilizer, another immunosuppressive agent, or another therapeutic agent) may be administered at about the same time, less than 1 minute apart, less than 2 minutes apart, less than 5 minutes apart, less than 30 minutes apart, 1 hour apart, at about 1 hour apart, at about 1 to about 2 hours apart, at about 2 hours to about 3 hours apart, at about 3 hours to about 4 hours apart, at about 4 hours to about 5 hours apart, at about 5 hours to about 6 hours apart, at about 6 hours to about 7 hours apart, at about 7 hours to about 8 hours apart, at about 8 hours to about 9 hours apart, at about 9 hours to about 10 hours apart, at about 10 hours to about 11 hours apart, at about 11 hours to about 12 hours apart, at about 12 hours to 18 hours apart, 18 hours to 24 hours apart, 24 hours to 36 hours apart, 36 hours to 48 hours apart, 48 hours to 52 hours apart, 52 hours to 60 hours apart, 60 hours to 72 hours apart, 72 hours to 84 hours apart, 84 hours to 96 hours apart, or 96 hours to 120 hours part. In particular embodiments, two or more therapies are administered within the same patent visit.

In certain embodiments, the stem cell mobilizer of the present invention in combination with an immunosuppressive agent (and optionally another stem cell mobilizer, another immunosuppressive agent, or another therapeutic agent) are cyclically administered. Cycling therapy involves the administration of a first therapy (e.g., the stem cell mobilizer) for a period of time, followed by the administration of a second therapy (e.g., the immunosuppressive agent) for a period of time, optionally, followed by the administration of perhaps a third therapy for a period of time and so forth, and repeating this sequential administration, e.g., the cycle, in order to reduce the development of resistance to one of the therapies, to avoid or reduce the side effects of one of the therapies, and/or to improve the efficacy of the therapies. In certain embodiments, the administration of the combination therapy of the present invention may be repeated and the administrations may be separated by at least 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, 10 days, 15 days, 30 days, 45 days, 2 months, 75 days, 3 months, or at least 6 months.

Thus, in one aspect, a stem cell mobilizer is administered in combination with an immunosuppressive agent. In particular embodiments, the stem cell mobilizer (e.g., AMD3100) and immunosuppressive agent (e.g., Tacrolimus) is administered separately over a period of time following transplantation and/or injury. For example, the treatment regimen for a liver transplant recipient may comprise the following: AMD3465 (1mg/kg) and Tacrolimus (0.1 mg/kg) at Day 0, 1, 2, 3 and 7 (subcutaneous injection). The treatment regimen may alternatively comprise the following: AMD (1 mg/kg) and Tacrolimus (0.1 mg/kg) at Day 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 10 and 15 (subcutaneous injection).

As a non-limiting example in kidney transplantation, the treatment regimen may comprise AMD3100 (1 mg/kg) after reperfusion and Day 2, 4, 6, and 10 following transplantation, and Tacrolimus (0.05 mg/kg) after reperfusion and Day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10 following transplantation (subcutaneous injection). In embodiments involving skin transplantation, the treatment regimen may comprise the following: AMD3100 (1 mg/kg) immediately after transplantation and every two days thereafter, and Tacrolimus (0.1 mg/kg) every day following transplantation (subcutaneous injection).

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art, using the preceding description, can utilize the present invention to the fullest extent. The following examples are illustrative only, and not limiting of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how the compounds, compositions, articles, devices, and/or methods described and claimed herein are made and evaluated, and are intended to be purely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers (e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.) but some errors and deviations should be accounted for herein. Unless indicated otherwise, parts are parts by weight, temperature is in degrees Celsius or is at ambient temperature, and pressure is at or near atmospheric. There are numerous variations and combinations of reaction conditions, e.g., component concentrations, desired solvents, solvent mixtures, temperatures, pressures and other reaction ranges and conditions that can be used to optimize the product purity and yield obtained from the described process. Only reasonable and routine experimentation will be required to optimize such process conditions.

Example 1 Induction of Liver Allograft Acceptance by Mobilizing Bone Marrow Stem Cells Materials and Methods

Rat Strains and Care. DA (RT1Aa) rats were purchased from Harlan ague-Dawley (Indianapolis, Ind.) and used at 8-12 weeks of age. The green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic Lewis (RT1I) rat strain was obtained from the National Institutes of Health (NIFF)-funded Rat Resource and Research Center (RRRC), University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo. Animals were maintained in the specific pathogen-free facility of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. Animals were cared for according to NIH guidelines and under a protocol approved by the Johns Hopkins University Animal Care Committee.

Liver Transplantation. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) was performed under isoflurane (Abbott laboratories, North Chicago, Ill.) inhalation anesthesia according to a method modified from previously described. Small liver transplantation consisted of removal of the left lateral lobe, the left portion of the median lobe, and the anterior and posterior caudate lobes. This reduced the liver mass by about 50%. The livers were flushed in situ with 10 ml cold saline via the portal vein, explanted and immersed in cold saline solution. The host liver was excised by ligation and division of the right adrenal and lumbar veins. The hepatic artery was ligated and divided. The bile duct was cannulated by insertion of a tube 2 mm in length (outer diameter, 1.2 mm) via choledocotomy and secured with a circumferential 8-0 silk suture. The inferior vena cava and the portal vein were cross-clamped with microvessel clips. The suprahepatic vena cava was pulled down using a cotton tape passed around the host liver and cross-clamped with a baby Statinksy clamp. The vessels were divided and liver was removed. The donor suprahepatic vena cava was anstomosed end-to-end with the host suprahepatic vena cava with running 8-0 prolene. The portal vein and infra hepatic vena cava were anastomosed using the cuff technique described previously. The common bile duct of the donor was cannulated with the small tube residing in the host bile duct and tied in place. The hepatic artery was not reconstructed.

Experimental Groups and Animal Treatment. Transplanted rats were divided by four groups: (1) control group (treated with same volume of saline); (2) low dose of immunosuppressant (FK-506, 0.1 mg/kg/day); (3) stem cell mobilizer (AMD3100, 1 mg/kg/day); and (4) combination of low dose FK-506 and AlvID3100. AMD3100 and/or FK-506 were injected subcutaneously immediately after reperfusion and day 1, 2, 3 and 7 following liver transplantation (FIG. 1). Some of the animals were sacrificed at day 3, 7 and 10 after transplantation and liver tissue, spleen and peripheral blood were collected.

Flow Cytometry. Single-cell suspensions (5×105) of peripheral blood monocytes were analyzed for CD34, CXCR4, c-Kit, Thy-1, and Sea-1 expression. Nonspecific antibody binding was blocked with goat and rat serum (Sigma) for 30 minutes.

Histological Studies. Histological changes in liver tissue sections were evaluated by ME staining. Recipient-derived GFP positive cells in liver tissue sections were analyzed by confocal fluorescence microscopy.

RT-PCR Analysis. The mRNA expression of CD34, CDCR4, SDF-1, SCF, c-Kit, c-Met and Foxp3 in livers and spleens was analyzed by using RT-PCR.

Results

AMD Treatment Significantly Increases Stem Cell Populations in Peripheral Blood After Transplantation. FIG. 2 shows that the percentage of CD34⁺, Thy-1⁺ and Scar cells in peripheral blood was significantly increase in AMD treated animals compared to control animals after liver transplantation.

A Combination of AMD and Low Dose FK-506 Increased Not Only the Expression of Stem Cell Factors But Also Foxp3 (T-Regulatory, Marker) in Liver Allografts and Spleens. PCR analysis shows the mRNA expression of SDF-1, SCF, c-Met, as well as Foxp3 were significantly increased in AMD plus low dose FK-506 group compared to other groups at day 7 after transplantation (FIG. 3).

A Combination of AMD and Low Dose FK-506 Increases Recipient Derived Cells and Reduced Inflammatory Infiltration in Liver Allografts on Day 7 After Transplantation. H&E staining shows that in acute rejecting liver allografts 7 days after transplantation, heavy mononuclear cellular infiltration was preset in the expanded portal areas with disruption of liver architecture. The pattern of cellular infiltration was similar in the AMD or low dose FK-506 treated groups, but the number of infiltrating cells were less (FIG. 4 upper and middle panels). In contrast, there were much fewer inflammatory cells in portal areas in the AMD plus low dose FK-506 treated group. Interestingly, there were much more recipient derived GFP positive cells appeared in the parenchyma of liver allografts in AMD plus low dose FK-506 treated group compared to AMD or FK-506 alone group on day 7 after transplantation (FIG. 4, lower panels). These results suggest that a combination of AMU and low dose FK treatment not only reduces acute rejection, but also promotes the repopulation of liver allografts by recipients.

Mobilizing of Stem Cells in Recipients with Low Dose Immunosuppression Induces Long-Term Liver Allograft Acceptance and Prolongs the Survival of Skin Allograft from the Same Donor. In the control group, liver allografts were rejected within 12 days after transplantation. AMD or low dose FK-506 treatment did not significantly prolong the recipient survival although one of five recipients treated with FK-506 survives for more than 1 month. Interestingly, a combination of AMD and low dose FK-506 treatment induced long-term allograft acceptance (tolerance) without side effects. In these liver acceptance animals, skin allograft from same donor can survive for more than one month after transplantation.

Conclusion

Mobilization of recipient bone marrow stem cells by AMD promotes liver allograft acceptance and a combination of AMD and low dose immunosuppressant induces long-term allograft acceptance without side effects. Bone marrow stem cell mobilizing agents can be used for induction of organ transplant tolerance.

Supplemental Detailed Data

The present inventors hypothesized that mobilization of recipient bone marrow stem cells will facilitate a rapid repopulation of liver allografts in the acute rejection model and reduce or eliminate the need for immunosuppression. To test this hypothesis, liver transplants from dark agouti (DA) rats into Lewis rats, i.e. the rejection model were performed. Recipient rats were treated with a hematopoietic stem cell mobilizer (plerixafor) and/or low dose immunosuppressant (tacrolimus). Transplanted rats were divided into four groups: I) a control group treated with saline), 2) treatment with low dose immunosuppressant (tacrolimus, 0.1 mg/kg/day), 3) stern cell mobilizer (plerixafor (AMD3100), 1mg/kg/day) alone, or 4) a combination of low dose tacrolimus and plerixafor.

In small liver transplantation rats, plerixafor and/or tacrolimus were injected subcutaneously immediately after reperfusion and on days 1, 2, 3 and 7 following transplantation. In whole liver transplantation rats, plerixafor and/or tacrolimus were injected subcutaneously immediately after reperfusion and on days 1, 2, 3, 7, 10 and 15 following transplantation. Animals from each group were sacrificed on post-op days 3, 7 and 10 and liver tissue, spleen and peripheral blood were collected.

Effective Mobilization of Recipient BMD Stem Cells with Low Dose IS and Plerixafor Induces Long-Term Small Liver Allograft Acceptance and Prolongs the Survival of a Skin Allograft from the Same Donor. FIG. 2 shows that the percentage of CD34⁺, c-Kit⁺, Thy-1⁺and Scar cells in peripheral blood was significantly increased in plerixafor treated animals compare to control animals after liver transplantation. In the control group, as previously, liver allografts were all rejected within twelve days after transplantation. Treatment with plerixafor or low dose tacrolimus alone did not significantly prolong recipient survival (although one of five recipients treated with low dose tacrolimus alone survived 4 months). Interestingly, the combination of plerixafor and low dose tacrolimus treatment induced long-term (>6 months) allograft acceptance without obvious side effects (FIG. 5A). In these animals, a subsequent skin allograft from the same donor strain survived for more than one month following transplantation (FIG. 5B) while the skin allograft from Brown-Norway (BN) rats (third party) were rejected in 6 days suggesting donor specific non-responsiveness.

A Combination of Plerixafor and Low Dose Tacrolimus Increases Recipient Derived Cells and Reduces Inflammatory Infiltrate in Liver Allografts on Day Seven After Transplantation. H&E staining shows that in control group liver allografts undergoing acute rejection seven days after transplantation, heavy mononuclear cellular infiltration was present in expanded portal areas with disruption of liver architecture. This pattern of cellular infiltration was similar in the plerixafor or low dose tacrolimus treated animals, but the number of infiltrating cells was reduced (FIG. 4, upper and middle panels). In contrast, there were far fewer inflammatory cells in the portal areas of animals treated with both plerixafor and tacrolimus. Interestingly, there were many more recipient-derived GFP-positive cells in the parenchyma of liver allografts of animals that got both drugs compared to single drug treatment on day 7 after transplantation (FIG. 4, lower panels).

Three months after transplantation, FIG. 6A shows the bile duct regeneration and many small size hepatocytes in the central vein areas. GFP whole-organ fluorescence was measured using the Xenogen system. As shown in FIG. 6B, the donor DA liver has no GFP expression, as expected. However, the transplanted donor liver graft shows a high degree of fluorescence at three months after transplant into a GFP-Lewis recipient that was treated with plerixafor and tacrolimus. Fluorescent microscopy confirmed these findings (FIG. 6C). These results suggest that a combination of plerixafor and tacrolimus treatment not only reduced acute rejection, but also promoted the repopulation of liver allografts by mobilized recipient stem cells.

Treatment with Plerixafor and Tacrolimus Increases Expression of Stem Cell Factors as well as Foxp3 Staining (a Marker of Regulatory T Cells) in Liver Allografts and Spleens. PCR analysis shows that mRNA expression of SDF-1, SCF, c-Met, CD133 as well as Foxp3 were significantly increased in the dual treatment group compared to all other groups at day 7 after transplantation (FIG. 3). Interestingly, IFN-γ (a cytokine of Th1), IL-17 (a cytokine of Th17) as well as IL-6 (a promoter of Th17 development) were significantly decreased in the dual treatment group, although TGF-13 (which is needed for both iTreg and Th17 development) remained the same.

SDF-1 protein expression was further determined by western blot analysis. FIG. 7 shows that the levels of SDF-1 in liver allografts recovered from animals in the plerixafor plus tacrolimus group were significantly higher compared to other groups, especially at 7 days after transplantation.

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining showed that the number of CD133⁺ cells in liver and spleen tissue sections from the dual treatment group was significantly increased at day 3 and 7 after transplantation (FIG. 8). Similarly, the number of c-Met⁺ cells was also increased in the dual treatment group. Interestingly, patterns of staining of CD133 and c-Met in liver tissue sections were similar suggesting that these markers may stain many of the same cells (FIG. 9).

The number of recipient (GFP⁺)-derived c-Met positive (red) cells determined by immunofluorescence staining was significantly higher in tissue sections from liver and spleens in the dual treatment group compare to control animals after transplantation (DA into GFP transgenic Lewis) (FIG. 10). Immunofluorescence staining also showed that the number of Foxp3 positive cells was significantly higher in tissue sections from liver allografts and spleens in the dual treatment group (FIG. 11).

These results suggest that treatment with plerixafor and tacrolimus (low dose) facilitates stem cell mobilization and migration to liver allografts via increased expression of SDF-1, and may also promote the differentiation of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. It is very likely that the present invention (activation of regulatory T cells via mobilizing bone marrow stem cells) can be also used in other organ transplantation, such as kidney, pancreas, heart, lung, hands and faces.

A Combination of Plerixafor and Low Dose Tacrolimus Treatment Induces Whole Liver Allograft Acceptance. In whole liver transplantation rats, plerixafor and/or tacrolimus were injected subcutaneously immediately after reperfusion and on days 1, 2, 3, 7, 10 and 15 following transplantation (FIG. 12). FIG. 13 shows that in the control group, liver allografts were all rejected within twelve days after transplantation. Treatment with plerixafor or low dose tacrolimus alone did not significantly prolong recipient survival. Interestingly, the combination of plerixafor and low dose tacrolimus treatment induced long-term (>4months) allograft acceptance without obvious side effects.

Example 2 Induction of Kidney Allograft Acceptance by Mobilizing Bone Marrow Stem Cells Materials and Methods

Rat Strains and Care. DA (RT1g) rats were purchased from Harlan ague-Dawley (Indianapolis, Ind.) and used at 8-12 weeks of age. The green fluorescent protein (GE)) transgenic Lewis (RTI.1) rat strain was obtained from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Rat Resource and Research Center (RRRC), University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo. Animals were maintained in the specific pathogen-free facility of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. Animals were cared for according to NTH guidelines and under a protocol approved by the Johns Hopkins University Animal Care Committee.

Orthotopic Kidney Transplantation. An orthotopic kidney transplantation in rats was performed under isoflurane (Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Ill.) inhalation anesthesia according to the technique described by Daniller (1968). Specifically, the DA to Lewis model of acute rejection was studied. Briefly, donor kidneys obtained from male DA rats were flushed with 10 ml cold saline and were stored at 4° C. while the recipient to be prepared. Total cold ischemic time was no longer than 40 minutes. Lewis male recipients were transplanted following left native nephrectomy. The donor renal artery, vein and ureter were anastomosed to the recipient renal artery, vein and ureter. The anastomosis was completed using 10-0 silk sutures. The right native kidney was removed before closing the abdomen.

Experimental Groups and Animal Treatment. Transplanted rats were divided by four groups including control group (treated with same volume of saline), low dose of immunosuppressant (FK-506, 0.05 mg/kg/day), stem cell mobilizer (AMD3100, 1 mg/kg/day) and a combination of low dose FK-506 and AMD3100. AMD3100 were injected subcutaneously immediately after reperfusion (day 0) and day 2, 4 and 6 following kidney transplantation. FK-506 were injected subcutaneously immediately after reperfusion (day 0) and day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 following transplantation. Treatments were repeated in combination treated group at 1, 2 and 3 months after transplantation. Some of animals were sacrificed at day 7 and 30 after transplantation and kidney tissue, spleen and peripheral blood were collected.

Flow Cytometry. Single-cell suspensions (5×105) of peripheral blood monocytes were analyzed for lineage negative CD34, CD133, Thy 1, and c-Kit expression. Nonspecific antibody binding was blocked with goat and rat serum (Sigma) for 30 minutes.

Histological Studies. Histological changes in kidney tissue sections were evaluated by H&E staining. Recipient-derived GFP positive cells in kidney tissue sections were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy.

Xenogen Imaging Analysis for Kidney Allografts. Green fluorescence protein (GFP) expression in kidney allografts were analyzed by Xenogen Imaging system. Results

AMD And Low Dose FK Treatment Significantly Increases Stem Cell Populations In Peripheral Blood. Peripheral blood cells were isolated from animals at 3 hours after injection with AMD and/or FK. Complete blood count (CBC) was measured and stem cell markers were quantified by flow cytometry. The absolute number of stem cells was calculated as WBC (−thous./μL) x % of stem cells. FIG. 14 shows that the absolute number of c-Kit⁺, CD133⁺ or lineage negative (Lin) and Thy 1⁺ c-Kit⁺CD133⁺ triple positive cells in peripheral blood was significantly increased in AMD treated animals compare to saline or G-CSF treated animals. Surprisingly, low-dose FK (0.1 mg/kg) but not high dose FK treatment significantly increases c-Kit⁺ and CD133⁺ cells in peripheral blood. Interestingly, the elevation of Lin- and Thy 1⁺ c-Kit⁺CD133⁺ cells was more dramatically in animals treated with a combination of AMD and low dose FK-506. These results suggest a synergistic role of AMD and low-dose FK-506 in mobilization of bone marrow stem cells.

Mobilizing Of Stem Cells In Recipients With AMD And Low Dose FK-506 Induces Long-Term Kidney Allograft Acceptance. In control group (FIG. 15), kidney allografts were rejected within 10 days after transplantation. AMD or low dose FK (0.05mg/kg) treatment did not prolong the recipient survival. Interestingly, a combination of AMD and low dose FK-506 (0.05mg/kg) treatment induced long-term allograft acceptance without side effects. All recipients (100%) treated with AMD and low-dose FK survive for more than three months.

A Combination Of AMD And Low Dose FK-506 Promotes The Repopulation Of Kidney Allografts By Recipient Derived Cells. Kidneys from DA rats were transplanted into GFP-Lewis recipients. GFP whole-organ fluorescence was measured using the Xenogen system. As shown in FIG. 16, the donor DA kidney has no GFP expression, as expected. However, the transplanted donor kidney graft showed a high degree of fluorescence at 1 month after transplant into a GFP transgenic Lewis recipient that was treated with AMD and tacrolimus (0.1 mg/kg). Although recipient inflammatory cells could have accounted for this, it was found that recipient-derived GFP positive cells appeared in the tubules of allograft and tubule epithelial cells themselves were GFP positive. These results suggest that recipient-derived stem cells are able to help regenerate tubules and a combination of AMD and low dose FK treatment not only reduces acute rejection, but also promotes the repopulation of kidney allografts by recipients.

Conclusion

Mobilization of recipient bone marrow stem cells by AMD promotes kidney allograft acceptance and a combination of AMD and low dose Tacrolimus induces long-term kidney allograft acceptance without side effects. Bone marrow stem cell mobilizing agents can be used for induction of kidney transplant tolerance.

Example 3 Induction of Skin Allograft Acceptance by Low Dose Immunosuppression and Mobilizing Bone Marrow Stern Cells

Allogenic skin has had a major role in acute burn care for over 100 years, and is the gold standard for temporary skin substitutes. The major obstacle to prolonged use is its immunogenicity.

Based on the data described herein, it is further hypothesized that mobilization of recipient bone marrow stem cells will facilitate a repopulation of skin allografts with recipient-derived cells and reduce or eliminate the need for immunosuppression in this population of patients where infection plays a major role in mortality. To test this hypothesis, skin transplants were performed from DA rats to Lewis rats, and recipient rats were treated with stem cell mobilizer (Mozobil': AMD3100) and/or low dose immunosuppressant (Tacrolimus, FK-506).

Materials and Methods

Rat Strains and Care. DA (RT1Aa) rats and C57/B6 mice were purchased from Harlan ague-Dawley (Indianapolis, IN) and used at 8-12 weeks of age. The green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic Lewis (RT1¹) rat strain was obtained from the National Institutes of Health (MID-funded Rat Resource and Research Center (RRRC), University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo. Animals were maintained in the specific pathogen-free facility of. Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. Animals were cared for according to NIH guidelines and under a protocol approved by the Johns Hopkins University Animal Care Committee.

Skin Transplantation. DA rats or C57/B6 mice were used as skin donors and GFP transgenic Lewis rats were used as recipients. A graft bed (2.5×3 cm) was prepared on the back of a recipient rat; special care was given to preserving the panniculus carnosus. A 2.5×3cm2 graft, which had been prepared from the body trunk of a donor, was transplanted with interrupted sutures of 5-0 silk. The graft was covered with a protective tape and the first inspection was conducted 2 days after skin grafting and was followed by daily inspection. The rejection was defined as the day when the skin graft developed a red-brown color and hard consistency.

Experimental groups and animal treatment. Transplanted rats were divided by four groups including control group (treated with same volume of saline), low dose of immunosuppressant (FK-506, 0.1 mg/kg/day), stem cell mobilizer (AMD3100, lmg,/kg/day) and a combination of low dose FK-506 and AMD3100. AMD3100 were injected subcutaneously immediately after transplantation and every two days following skin transplantation. FK506 were injected subcutaneously every day following transplantation.

Biopsies. At selected times, 2.0-mm full-thickness punch biopsies were taken for histologic evaluation of frozen and formalin samples and Xenogen imaging analysis of GFP expression.

Results

Mobilizing of Stem Cells in Recipients with AMD and Low Dose FK-506 Induces Long-Term Skin Allograft Acceptance and Prolongs Skin Xenograft Survival. In control group (Table 1), skin allografts were rejected within 7 days after transplantation. AMD or low dose FK (0.1 mg/kg) treatment did not significantly prolong the allograft survival. Interestingly, a combination of AMD and low dose FK-506 (0.1 mg/kg) treatment induced long-term skin allograft acceptance without

side effect. All skin allografts in recipients treated with AMD and low-dose FK survive for more than one month. Similarly, AMD or low-dose FK treatment did not prolong the xenograft survival. However, a combination of AMD and low-dose FK significantly prolonged the xenograft survival (Table 1 and FIG. 1).

TABLE 1 Skin Graft Survival Donors Recipients Treatment Number Graft Survival (days) DA Lewis Saline 3 6, 6, 7 FK (0.1 mg/kg) 3 7, 8, 9 AMD (1 mg/kg) 4 6, 7, 7, 8 AMD + FK 6 >30 (6) C57/B6 Lewis Saline 3 5 (3), 6 FK (0.1 mg/kg) 3 5, 6, 6 AMD (1 mg/kg) 3 5 (2), 6 AMD + FK 4 17, 18 (2), 20

A Combination of AMD and Low Dose FK-506 Promotes the Repopulation of Skin Grafts by Recipient Derived Cells. GFP fluorescence of skin biopsies was measured using the Xenogen system. As shown in FIG. 18A, the GFP recipient skin expresses strong fluorescence, and the donor DA or C57/b6 skin has no GFP expression, as expected. However, the transplanted donor skin graft shows a high degree of fluorescence at 7 days after transplant into a GFP transgenic Lewis recipient that was treated with AMD and tacrolimus (0.1 mg/kg). Interestingly, the degree of fluoresce in skin allografts is higher compared to xenografts. A high level of fluorescence remains in skin allografts at 28 days after transplantation (FIG. 18B). FIG. 19 shows a newly regenerated skin with white hair suggesting repopulation of skin allograft by recipient. These results suggest that recipient-derived stem cells are able to repopulate the skin graft and a combination of AMD and low dose FK treatment not only reduces acute rejection, but also promotes the repopulation of skin allografts by recipients.

CONCLUSION

Mobilization of recipient bone marrow stem cells by AMD and low-dose Tacrolimus promotes skin allograft acceptance and a combination of AMD and low dose Tacrolimus prolongs skin xenograft survival without side effects. Skin allografts can be repopulated by recipient derived cells. Bone marrow stem cell mobilizing agents can be used for induction of skin transplant tolerance. 

What is claimed:
 1. A method of treating an organ transplant recipient comprising administering to the recipient a therapeutically effective amount of a stem cell mobilizer and an immunosuppressive agent.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the organ is selected from the group consisting of liver, kidney, skin, heart, lung, intestine, and pancreas.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the organ is liver, kidney and/or skin.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the stem cell mobilizer is selected from the group consisting of AMD3100, AMD3465, TG-0054, G-CSF, GM-CSF, SDF-1, and SCF.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the stem cell mobilizer is a CXCR4 antagonist.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the stem cell mobilizer is AMD3100.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the immunosuppressive agent is selected from the group consisting of Tacrolimus, cyclosporine, Orthoclone OKT3, mycophenolate, and sirolimus.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the immunosuppressive agent is Tacrolimus.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the immunosuppressive agent is administered in a low dose amount.
 10. A method of treating a patient diagnosed with ischemic injury or a tissue or organ transplant recipient comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a stem cell mobilizer and an immunosuppressive agent.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the stem cell mobilizer is ANID3100.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the immunosuppressive agent is Tacrolimus.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the stem cell mobilizer is ANID3100 and the immunosuppressive agent is Tacrolimus. 